Self-threading sewing machine needle



06f 30, 1952 H. suRBEcK 3,060,875

SELF-THREADING SEWING MACHINE NEEDLE Filed Jan. 30, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR www m, @4M-Ji www ATTORNEYS Oct. 30, 1962 H. sURBEcK 3,060,876

ASELF-THREADING SEWING MACHINE NEEDLE Filed Jan. 50, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 zl l 24- E515 7Z7]5 /Zy Zi i@ if i zy* /z ff /f INVENTOR yam JY. ,5w/i665 BVMW, M, M @gw ATTORNEYS Oct. 30, 1962 L. H. sURBEcK 3,060,876

sELF-THREADING sEwING MACHINE NEEDLE Filed Jan. 30, '1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INV ENT OR wwf/WWK f/zgig,

BY mw, @al um@ E ha@ ATTORNEYS aient 3,660,876 Patented Got. 30, i962 nine 3,060,876 SELF-THREADIN G SEWING MACHINE NEEDLE Leighton Homer Surbeci-r, New York, NSY. Filed Jan. 30, 1961, Ser. No. 85,596 27 Claims. (C1. liz- 224) rl`his invention relates to sewing machine needles, and more particularly to a self-threading sewing machine needle in which the formation of the needle itself facilitates vthe threading thereof, thus relieving the eye strain and other inconveniences attendant upon projecting a thread through the eye of the needle in the usual manner. Such a needle is described and claimed in United States Patent No. 2,767,670, granted October 23, 1956, and the present invention constitutes an improvement upon the needle of the said patent. This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial No. 777,909, filed December 3, 1958, now abandoned.

It is the general object of the present invention to provide a sewing machine needle comprising a slender shaft provided with a sharp point at one end, the other end being fabricated in the conventional form for attachment to the plunger or reciprocating element of a sewing machine, an eye being provided near the pointed end of the needle as is usual in the case of sewing machine needles. The needle of the present invention is so designed as to cause a loop or elbow of thread to form in the longitudinal groove above the eye and facilitate projection of the thread elbow down said groove and through the said' eye.

The aforesaid U.S. patent discloses a needle in which that wall of the eye nearest the pointed end of the needle is inclined relative to the axis of the needle, one end of said end wall intersecting the peripheral surface of the shaft at an acute angle, the shaft being formed with a longitudinal groove extending from said eye toward the butt end of the needle, said groove opening into the eye in substantial longitudinal alignment with the aforesaid acute intersection, whereby a thread may be guided through the eye by introducing the thread into the longitudinal groove and moving it along the groove until the end of the thread impinges the inclined end wall of the eye and, following the latter, is projected through the eye. This operation is facilitated by the provision, in the needle of the patent, of means near the butt end of the needle for assisting in guiding a thread into the longitudinal groove, such means consisting of a notch extending transversely of the needle and communicating with the longitudinal groove, so that a thread can be first engaged in said notch which will then assist in guiding the thread into and along said groove and thence through the eye, as mentioned above.

The object of the present invention is to improve upon the needle described in the aforesaid U.S. patent, by the provision of means whereby a loop or elbow of thread may be automatically, easily and positively formed in the aforesaid longitudinal groove above the eye, and then brought to and projected through the eye, as a loop, thus avoiding the difficulties sometimes encountered in the manipulation of the needle described in said patent in attempting to cause an end or loop of the thread to pass through said eye. Such dimculties may arise if the thread end is ragged, or if, upon aligning the thread in the lon# gitudinal groove, the end is already beyond the eye. lf the end is already beyond the eye, the manipulation of the thread as described in the patent may result in the formation of a loop of thread at the eye, which loop, instead of an end thereof, is calculated to pass through the eye. But the formation of the loop at the eye is largely dependent, however, upon the skill of the operator. And such loop operation is not positive or uniform because the thread often bypasses the eye without forming any loop at the eye.

The needle of the present invention, on the contrary, automatically forms a loop of thread in the longitudinal groove above the eye with uniform success, and projects such loop through the eye with ease and certainty. Threading can thus be accomplished even without looking at the needle or thread during such operation.

Specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide, in a needle of the type described, a transverse groove or grooves so shaped and positioned as automatically to form a loop of thread in the groove above the eye.

if two transverse grooves are used, the grooves are preferably, though not essentially, disposed on different sides of the said longitudinal groove. lf the grooves are on `the same side of the longitudinal groove, they must be axially displaced from each other. After a spaced portion of a thread is engaged with each of the respective two transverse grooves, the threading operation is exactly the same whether the two grooves be on the same or different sides of the longitudinal groove.

if the transverse grooves are on dierent sides of the longitudinal groove, they may be located opposite each other, in which case a horizontal loop or elbow may -be formed. lf the transverse grooves are axially displaced from each other, whether on the same or different sides of the longitudinal groove, a vertical loop will result, as hereinafter described.

lf a ysingle transverse groove is used, a vertical loop will be formed, as hereinafter described.

A transverse groove may extend through the wall or walls of the longitudinal Groove to the depth of the latter only or, if desired, may extend through the entire thickness of the needle (in the direction of the depth of the groove), thus facilitating the formation of the aforesaid vertical loop. A transverse groove may be so formed as to provide external projections to facilitate engagement of the thread in the said groove.

Other and further objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the description which follows," taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE l is a side elevation (with the eye portion in axial section) of a needle with two transverse grooves constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view similar to FIGURE l illustrating a step in the threading operation;

FIGURES 3, 4 and 5 are fragmentary front elevational views of the needle of FIGURE l illustrating successive steps in the threading operation whe-re two transverse grooves are used;

FIGURES 6 and 7 are fragmentary axial sectional views of the eye portion, illustrating additional steps in such threading operation;

FIGURE 8 is a section on line 8-8 of FIGURE l during such threading operation shown in FIGURES 4 and 5;

FIGURES 9 through l6 are fragmentary front elevational views each illustrating a further embodiment of the invention with two transverse grooves;

FIGURES 17 and 18 are similar views illustrating further embodiments each having a single transverse groove;

FIGURES 19, 20 and 2l illustrate the threading operation as carried out with the embodiment of either FIG- URE l7 or FIGURE 18; and

FIGURE 22 is a transverse sectional View illustrating an aspect of the threading operation.

In order to facilitate an understanding of the invention, reference is made to the embodiments thereof shown in the accompanying drawings and detailed descriptive language is employed. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the invention is thereby intended and that various changes and alterations are contemplated such as would ordinarily occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

e Referring now to FIGURES 1 to 8, inclusive, which illustrate a use of two transverse grooves, it will be seen that the needle of the present invention comprises generally a slender, elongated shaft provided with a sharpened point 11 at the lower end and a rectangular butt portion 12 at its upper end, for seating in a suitable socket in the plunger of a sewing machine.

As in the case of conventional sewing machine needles, the eye 15 is disposed quite near the pointed end of the needle but the eye 15 of the present needle differs in formation from the conventional eye. Thus, the end wall 16 nearest the point 11 is disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the needle, intersecting the peripheral surface thereof at an acute angle, as seen at 17.

Upwardly of the eye 15, the shaft 10 is formed with a longitudinal groove 18, which opens at its lower end into eye 15 at a point in substantial longitudinal alignment with said acute intersection 17. Opening into the upper end of the groove 18 is a transverse groove 19, the depth of which is such as to cause a thread, introduced into the groove, to lie in the longitudinal groove 18. The transverse groove 19 is formed in the far side of the needle as seen in FIGURE l. A second (lower) transverse groove 20, inclined forwardly and downwardly, is formed in the near side of the needle as seen in FIGURE 1, the groove 20 Vopening into the longitudinal groove 18 and being formed at a point axially downward (toward the eye) Vof the needle, relative to the groove 19. The walls 18 of the groove 18 may be relatively shallow between the transverse grooves 19 and 20 for a reason which will shortly appear.

By looping a thread T about the needle above the upper transverse groove 19, as seen in FIGURE 1, and then moving the loop downwardly while it is pressed against the needle, the thread will be consecutively engaged in the transverse grooves 19 and 20, as seen in FIGURE 2. This is done by placing a finger over thread T, and, while maintaining a continuous iirm pressure of the finger against the shaft throughout the movement, moving the inger downward in continuous movement past the eye. The complete threading operation may be understood from a consideration of FIGURES 3 to 7, in that order. In FIGURE 3, which shows theV upper end of the needle as it appears when looking toward the side in which longitudinal groove 18 is formed, the letter T indicates a length of thread looped about the needle as in FIGURE l. When lthe finger is moved to the position seen in FIGURE 3, the thread automatically engages in transverse groove 19, and the corresponding side of the loop will stay in groove 19 so long as some tension is maintained in the loop. If, now, Vthe operators finger firmly engages the thread, as it may easily do because the walls 18' are shallow at this point, the thread may be Y guided downwardly -along groove 18 until the other side of the loop lodges in lower transverse groove 20, as seen in FIGURE 4, thereby automatically shaping an elbow E in the thread (shown in FIGURE 2) as it bends around the acute angle 20 formed by the intersection of the upper wall of said lower transverse groove (said upper wall being inclined forward) with the periphery of said shaft.

Since the Ilower wall of said transverse groove 20 is also inclined forward and downward (thus intersecting Vthe bottom of fthe longitudinal groove 18 at an obtuse angle 20"), pressure of the operators iinger during the initial downward movement of the elbow E causes the apex of the elbow E to enter the groove 18 (FIGURE 5). Continuing pressure of the finger against the shaft, during further downward movement of the iinger, brings elbow E to and through the eye 15 (FIGURES 6 and 7). The thread is kept in tension by the other hand, during the operation of forming elbow E; but after elbow E has been formed it will be maintained -in groove 18 by the operators finger, and the said tension may be released.

Note that, to facilitate operation, the depth of that portion of longitudinal groove 18 extending above transverse groove 20 (as shown in FIGURES l-5, inclusive, and in FIGURE 17) may be less than the depth of that portion of longitudinal groove 18 below transverse groove 20, in order that the apex ofobtuse angle 20" may be lower than the apex of acute angle 20. This facilitates entry of the elbow E into groove 18 during initial downward movement of elbow E in the threading operation.

' Note also that entry of elbow E into longitudinal groove 18 is further facilitated by widening or aring groove 18 where it is entered by transverse groove 20. This enables elbow E to funnel into groove 18. Such widening or flaring is shown in FIGURES 3-5, l2 and 13-18.

The Voperation just described, using the needle of FIG- URE 1, involves formation-of a vertical elbow, i.e., one in which the two sides of the loop are caused to lie one over the other in the groove 18. However, the elbow of thread need not be vertical, but may be horizontal, i.e., Vthe two sides of the loop forming the elbow may lie side by side in groove 18, and the threading operation will also be readily performed, with good success. Such a horizontal elbow E' will be formed in the case of the embodiments seen in FIGURES 9, 10 and ll.

FIGURE 9 illustrates a modification in which two transverse grooves 21 and 22 are formed opposite one another, in the respective walls 18 of groove '18, by interrupting the walls and aring their terminal portions outwardly to form projections 21' and 22'. The latter projections serve to arrest the downward progress of both sides of thread loop T and cause them to funnel into groove 18 side by side. For this reason the groove 18, and if necessary the entire needle, may be somewhat wider than in the case of FIGURE 1. The groove'18 may be relatively shallow betweenrthe terminal portions 22 and 21 in order that the finger may engage the thread firmly and thus readily form the horizontal elbow as the finger is moved down the shaft in the threading operation.

FIGURE 10 illustrates lthe case of two transverse grooves 23 and 24 which are substantially opposite to each other, the groove 23 being in the form of a straight cut or notch in the wall 18', while the groove 24 is formed as is groove 21 of FIGURE 9, and groove 18 may be relatively shallow between the terminal portion 24 and the opposite wall in order that the finger may engage the thread rmly and thus readily form the elbow as the finger is moved down the shaft in the threading operation. Here, also, a horizontal elbow of thread is formed in the threading operation.

`FIGURE 1=1 is similar to FIGURE 10 except that the groove 23 extends entirely through the needle in the direction of the depth of groove '18. This facilitates seating of the corresponding side of :the thread loop T in the groove 18. In the embodiment of FIGURE lfl the groove 18 may be of a width corresponding to the embodiment of FIGURE l, in which case a vertical elbow is formed, but in any case it must allow the operators finger to make hrm contact with the thread during the formation of the elbow, and adequate contact thereafter.

Reference has been made in the foregoing description to the walls of groove 18 being shallow between: the transverse grooves 19 and 20; and between transverse grooves 21 and 22', and 23 and 24, in order for the iinger to enter the groove sufhciently to engage the thread firmly, as illustrated in FIGURE 8. It will, of course, be understood in this connection that irm engagement of the thread may also be -achieved or improved by placing a piece of cloth or other suitable pliable substance between the hnger and groove 18 with the result that such substance will enter the groove and transmit pressure from the finger to the thread so as to insure a positive firm grip whether or not groove 18 is shallow enough,

at the above-indicated points, to enable the nger to engage the thread directly.

FIGURES 1 to 5, inclusive, show upper and lower transverse grooves in communication with longitudinali groove 18. It is believed that such communication involves a preferred embodiment of the invention using the two transverse grooves shown in FIGURES 1-5 (especially where the operator uses a cloth or other pliable substance to achieve or improve engagement of the thread by the finger) for the reason that such communication assures that the segment of 4thread lying between the upper and lower transverse grooves (which segment forms the upper leg of the elbow E) will be wholly within groove 18 before the downward movement of the elbow is commenced. As a result, the legs, as well as apex, of the elbow remain wholly within longitudinal groove 18 and, therefore, pass freely through the eye, regardless of whether or not care is taken to insure that the downward movement of the operators finger throughout in the threading operation is substantially -along the axis of groove 18. However, if the operator will exercise the care necessary to move the finger directly downward, substantially along the axis of groove 18, improved grip on the thread may be obtained by elimination of the communication between the upper and lower transverse grooves, with the result that primary reliance would be placed upon care in the direction of the downward movement of the finger (in lieu of such communication) to guide said segment of thread into groove 18 during the threading operation. Such an embodiment is illustrated in FIGURES 12-16, inclusive.

Grip upon the thread may further be improved by extending the upper transverse groove only to -a point substantially in longitudinal alignment with the nearer wall of the longitudinal groove. Such embodiment is shown in FIGURES 13, 14 and 16. As a result, the segment of the thread T exactly at groove 19 at the beginning of the threading operation will not completely enter groove 18 (as T passes transverse groove 20) during the threading operation, but will instead (see FIGURE 22) slide down the nearer rim '18 of groove 18 (instead of entering the groove 18), thereby remaining in firm Contact with the iinger throughout the threading operation. The effective length of one (i.e., upper) leg of the elbow E is thus limited to something less than the distance between grooves 19 and 20, and such embodiment can, therefore, be used advantageously only where the distance between 19 and 20 is at least sufficient to produce a long enough upper leg to the elbow E to enable E to pass through the eye far enough for the needle to remain threaded after the finger is removed.

FIGURE 16 shows a means 2S so `formed as to comprise both an extension of the lower outer rim of the upper transverse groove and an extension of the upper outer rim of the lower transverse groove. 'Ille thread is looped around means 25, and moved by the nger in the direction of the arrow until a segment of the thread lies in position between transverse grooves 19 and 20. It is then in position for the threading operation.

FIGURE 17 shows -a front view of a needle with a single transverse groove 20 constructed according to the invention, with the longitudinal groove 18 extending to a point above said transverse groove 20. FIGURE 18 shows a front view of a needle constructed according to the invention with a single transverse groove 20, said longitudinal groove 18 being in communication with, but terminating at, said transverse groove 20. Reverse, or rear view, is shown in FIGURES 19, 20 and 21 which illustrate manipulation.

FIGURES 19, 20 and 21 show the somewhat different manipulation of the invention (shown in 'FIGURES 17 and 18) with a single transverse groove 20. Illustration is of the invention adapted to a sewing machine which positions the needle for threading from the right. As a result, longitudinal groove 18 .is on the reverse side of 6 needle shown in FIGURES 19, 20 and 21. For a machine which positions the needle for threading from the left, the position of the longitudinal groove 18 would be reversed, and therefore visible, in elevations shown in FIGURES 19, 20 and 21.

First, as shown in FIGURE 19, the thread is looped around the shaft, and pulled down into transverse groove 211 with the left hand. This causes -a segment of thread to lie on the rim of groove 18 opposite transverse groove 20, and thereby automatically to form elbow E in the thread as it bends around the acute angle 20 formed where the upper rim of the groove intersects the periphery of the shaft. (See detail of groove 20, shown in FIGURE 1. It is the forward inclination of both the upper and lower walls of the groove which causes the formation of the elbow.) But only the tip of this elbow is in the groove 18: the lower leg of elbow E is the segment of thread in the transverse groove; the other or upper leg, while it is -already wholly within groove '18, is no longer than the width of the groove 18. It is therefore too short for threading. It is, however, lengthened by the manipulation next described.

A finger of the right hand (preferably the second or third finger) is pressed firmly against the shaft below transverse groove 20, on the side of the longitudinal groove as shown in FIGURE 20. Continuing the pressure against the shaft, the finger is moved upwardly along the groove 18 and well past transverse groove 20. This movement causes the finger (as it reaches groove 20) to engage this short segment of thread (T) extending across the rim of groove 18, and move this segment upwardly along the rim of groove 18 `as the thread feeds through groove 20, thereby progressively increasing the length of this (upper) leg of the elbow E which will later enter the groove 18. The `farther the finger can be moved up along the shaft (before striking the plunger holding the needle) the longer will be this leg of the elbow.

Continuing pressure against the shaft, the finger is now moved downwardly along groove 18 until the tip of the elbow E passes through the eye, as shown in FIGURE 2l. (If the finger is anoved too far, after the elbow has fully penetrated the eye, the grip yof the finger on the short leg of the elbow may pull the elbow -out of the eye, thereby unthreading the needle.)

Note, by way of contrast, that when two transverse grooves are used, as in FIGURE 1, the final length of both legs of t-he elbow is substantially the distance between the eye and the transverse grooves. As `a result, the long length of both legs enables the elbow to penetrate the eye for a considerable distance. But when only one transverse groove is used, as in FIGURES 17 and 18, the length of one of the legs is shorter; and the short leg, in turn, limits the distance which the elbow can penetrate the eye. Such short leg is, however, of suflicient length to enable the tip of the elbow to penetrate the eye far enough readily to be grasped with the fingers and the thread pulled through the eye.

Note, further, that the grip on the thread throughout is firm where the single transverse groove is used without regard to depth of the longitudinal groove 18. This is because, in the manipulation of this form of the invention, a segment of thread T always lies firmly gripped between the nearer rim 18 of groove 18 and the finger.

FIGURE 22 is a section on line A-A of FIGURES 13, 14, 16, 17, 18 and 2-1 during threading operation, showing a segment of the thread T which lies firmly between the nearer rim 18 of groove 18' and the finger.

Reference has been made in the specification to keeping the thread in tension in the transverse groove until after the elbow has moved down into groove 18. It will, of course, be understood that if the transverse groove is tilted, so as to elevate the outer rim in relation to the bottom (as illustrated in FIGURES 12., 13, 14, 15 and 16), such tension-on the thread may ber-released as soon as the thread is lodged in the transverse groove because the thread will then remain in position, even during threading operations, particularly if the forward edge of the transverse groove 20 is recessed between points substantially in longitudinal alignment with the side walls of groove 18, as shown Vin FIGURES 12 and 18. Such release of tension simplifies the manipulation in the threading operation.

. According to the present invention, since threading is positively induced by bringing the apex of the thread elbow .E` against the inclined surface 16, it is not necessary that a sharp edge be formed at v17, and that edge is preferably slightly rounded or -blunted to facilitate movement of the operators linger thereover, and to `facilitate sewing. Y In connection with the foregoing description, it will be understood that, in order to promote clarity of illustra-V tion, the thread T, as illustrated in the drawings, is of much smaller diameter, relative to the needle, than is the threadv Vactually intended to be used.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is: i l. Self-threading sewing machine needle comprising a shaft having a point `at one end and a .butt for attachment to the plunger of a sewing machine at the other end, said needle being formed to provide an eye extending therethrough near the pointed end thereof, the end wall Vof said eye nearest the needle point being continuous and being inclined generally throughout its length relative to the axis of said shaft, one end of said end wall intersecting the peripheral surface of said shaft at an acute angle, said sha-ft being formed with a longitudinal groove extending from said eye toward the butt end of said needle, said longitudinal groove opening into said eye in substantial longitudinal alignment with said acute intersection, said end wall extending from said acute intersection toward the point of said needle, including means adjacent to the butt of said shaft to assist in bending the thread into threading position in said longitudinal groove, said means comprising two transverse grooves entering into said needle, and extending to points which'are on the same side of said shaft as said longitudinal groove, at least one said transverse groove entering into communication with said longitudinal groove.

2. A sewing machine needle as dened in claim l, said transverse grooves entering into communication with said longitudinal groove through opposite sides thereof at points in substantial horizontal alignment, the longitudinal axis of each transverse groove being inclined with reference to the ,axis of the shaft, but oppositely with reference to each other, so as to intersect the axis of the longitudinal groove at substantially adjacent acute angles, the vertices of which point toward the eye.

3. A sewing machine needle as deflned in claim l, said transverse grooves entering into communication with said longitudinal groove through opposite sides thereof at points not in horizontal alignment, the longitudinalaxis of the lower of said transverse grooves being inclined with reference to the axis of the longitudinal groove, the forward end of the lower side wall of said lower transverse groove intersecting the bottom of said longitudinal groove at an obtuse angle, and the forward end of the upper side wall of said -lower transverse groove intersecting the periphery of said shaft at an acute yangle the vertex of which points in the general direction of the point of the needle.

4. A sewing machine needle as defined in claim 3, the

Vsaid lower transverse groove extending through said shaft rin the general direction of the depth of said longitudinal groove.

5. A sewing machine needle as dened in claim l, the said transverse grooves ybeing in horizontal disalignment and on opposite sides of said shaft, the lower of said transverse grooves entering into communication with said ioY longitudinal groove, thelatter terminating below the upper of Saidrtransverse grooves. n Y 6,.V A. sewing Amachine needle as defined in claim 5, the longitudinal axis Yof Ythe'lower ofY said transverse grooves being inclined with reference to the axis of the Vlongitudinal groove, the forward end of the lower side wall of said lower transverse groove intersecting the bottom of said longitudinal groove at an obtuse angle, and the forward end ofthe upper side wall of said lower transverse groove intersecting the periphery of said shaft at an acute angle, the vertex of which points in the general direction of the point of the needle.

7. A sewing machine needle as defined in claim 6, the said lower transverse groove extending through said shaft in the general direction of the depth of said longitudinal groove.

8. A sewing machine needle as defined in claim 6, the upper of said transverse grooves extending through said shaft in the general direction of the depth of said longitudinal groove.

9. A sewing machine needle as defined in claim 3, the said upper transverse groove extending through said shaft in the general direction of the depth of said longitudinal groove.

`l0. A sewing machine needle as defined in claim l, including means projecting from saidV needle adjacent to the lower outer'rimof each said transverse groove to engage -a thread and guide segments thereof into each of said transverse grooves.

l1. AY sewing machine needle as defined in claim 1, including means projecting from said needle adjacent to the lower outer rim of at least one said transverse groove to engage a thread and guide a segment thereof into the associated transverse groove.

l2. A sewing machine needle as defined in claim l, the lower wall of said lower transverse groove being inclined downward as it extends into the said shaft in the direction ofthe depth -of said lower transverse groove.

13. A sewing machine needle as defined in claim l2, the upper wall of said lower transverse groove being inclined downwardly as it extends into the said shaft in the general direction of the depth of said transverse groove, the outer'edge of said wall being recessed between points substantially in longitudinal alignment vm'th the side walls of said longitudinal groove.

14. A sewing machine needle as defined in claim l, said transverse Vgrooves being axially displaced Vfrom each other andon the same siderof said shaft.

Y15.'A sewing machine needle as dened in claim 14,

the vlower of said transverse grooves extending through said shaft in the general direction of the depth of said longitudinal groove. 16.V A Ysewing machine needle as defined in claim 14, including means projecting from said shaft, the base of said means extending substantially from a point adjacent to the lower outer rim of the upper of said transverse grooves to a point adjacent to the upper outer rim of the Vlower Aof. said transverse grooves, to engage a thread and gui-de segments thereof into each of said transverse grooves.V

17. Self-threading sewingrmachine needle comprising a shaft having a point at one end and a buttfor attachment to the plunger of a sewing machine at the other end, said needle being formed to provide an eye extending therethrough near the pointed end thereof, the end wall of said eye nearest the needle point being continuous and-being inclined generally throughout its length relative to the axis of said shaft, one end of said end wall intersecting the peripheral surface of said shaft at an acute angle,said Yshaft being formed with a longitudinal groove extending from` said eye toward the butt end of said needle, said longitidinal groove opening into said eye in rsubstantial longitudinal alignment with said acute intersection, said end wallextending from said acute intersection toward the point of said needle, including means adjacent to the butt of said shaft to assist in bending the thread into threading position in said longitudinal groove, said means comprising a trfnsverse groove entering into said needle, and extending forward to a point which is on the same side of said shaft as said longitudinal groove, said transverse groove entering into communication with said longitudinal groove, the longitudinal axis of said transverse groove being inclined with reference to the longitudinal axis of the longitudinal groove, the forward end of the lower side wall of said transverse groove intersecting the bottom of said longitudinal groove at an obtuse angle, and the forward end of the upper side wall of said transverse groove intersecting the periphery of said shaft at an acute angle the vertex of which points in the general direction of the point of the needle.

18. A sewing machine needle as defined in claim 17, the said transverse groove extending through said shaft in the general direction of the depth of said longitudinal groove.

19. A sewing machine needle as defined in claim 17, including means projecting from said needle adjacent to the lower outer rim of said transverse groove to engage a thread and guide a segment thereof into the said transverse groove.

20. A sewing machine needle as defined in claim 17, the lower Wall of said transverse groove being inclined downwardly as it extends into the said shaft in the general direction of the depth of said transverse groove.

21. A sewing machine needle as dened in claim 20, the upper wall of said transverse groove being inclined downwardly as it extends into the said shaft in the general direction of the depth of said transverse groove, the outer edge of said wall being recessed between points sub- 1t) stantially in longitudinal alignment with the side walls of said longitudinal groove.

22. A sewing machine needle as defined in claim 17, the said longitudinal groove extending to a point above said transverse groove.

23. A sewing machine needle as dened in claim 17, the said longitudinal groove terminating at said transverse groove.

24. A sewing machine needle as dened in claim 17, the terminal portions of said longitudinal groove being flared as it enters the bottom of said transverse groove.

25. A sewing machine needle as defined in claim l, the terminal portions of said longitudinal groove being ared as it enters the bottom of at least one said transverse groove.

26. A sewing machine needle as dened in claim l, said transverse grooves entering into communication with said longitudinal groove through opposite sides thereof at points not in horizontal alignment, the longitudinal axis of the lower of said transverse grooves being inclined with reference to the axis of the longitudinal groove so as to intersect it at an acute angle, the vertex of which points in the general direction of the point of the needle.

27. A sewing machine needle as defined in claim 1, said transverse grooves being in horizontal 'disalignmen the upper of said transverse grooves entering into said needle and extending not beyond a point substantially in vertical alignment with the nearer rim of groove 18.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,767,670 Surbeck Oct. 23, 1956 

